Americans Think They're Getting Uglier

People Are Getting Uglier (Or So They Think)

Do you think you're attractive? If you answered no, you're sadly not alone. Mother Jones magazine unearthed a fascinating statistic: 20 percent of women and 10 percent of men describe themselves as unattractive. That's depressing enough, but check this: 12 years ago, only one percent of all Americans did the same.

So what's behind the jump? It's unlikely that the general population abruptly became homely, and perceptions of beauty are subjective. It looks like we're simply being a lot harder on ourselves. Since the original study was conducted, beauty trends of the 2000s made treatments like Botox and cosmetic surgery more mainstream. Digital retouching also reached new heights (and lows). Are these changes to blame, or is it something else? More than a few factors are at play, but one thing's clear: this sad statistic puts a new spin on the phrase "ugly American."

Bella, where do you live? LA? I think you're a little sheltered. Sure, in LA, women who are size 8 complain about being fat. I am living in Milwaukee in the moment, which I would guess is one of the fattest cities in the United States, and I have a far different perspective on things. We live in two completely different worlds. I see a lot of people who are really, truly obese and who don't take care of themselves. I know so many people who don't exercise, they eat nothing but crap, they smoke like chimneys, and they can drink so much that just watching them would give you a hangover. That's what I see on a daily basis, and that's where I'm coming from. So no, I don't "blame fat people for anything and everything," but I can kind of see why they would feel ugly. Their lifestyle is ugly.

Yes, obesity has health risks, but I don't think that's what's behind this shift in self-perception. I feel like people are very quick to blame fat people for anything and everything. But I know a lot of thin people who find themselves unattractive, too — like women who are size 8 and think they're "fat."

"It's unlikely that the general population abruptly became homely"
But that's exactly what happened. 66% of the population is now overweight or obese. That was not the case 12 years ago, or 20 years ago, or 30 years ago. The population did indeed abruptly become homely. And if they feel ugly, it's because obesity is ugly. Obesity makes you less physically attractive, and It does ugly things to your health and well-being. And it's a shame that we embrace obesity and call it beautiful, or curvy, or whatever you want to call it. Obesity is not beautiful. It is devastating.

It's probably a combination of things. I'm sure the media plays a role. Plastic surgery is a lot more affordable and mainstream these days too. It may also have a lot to do with the internet. There's more personal feedback on one's looks, personality, etc...via strangers. There's a lot of criticism and trash talk online, which can mess with someone's self-image.

Obesity might be one reason, but weight isn't always directly relational to self-esteem. I do feel bad for our kids, especially the kids of people who have been overly nipped and tucked... they'll look nothing like their parents.

Obesity might be one reason, but weight isn't always directly relational to self-esteem.
I do feel bad for our kids, especially the kids of people who have been overly nipped and tucked... they'll look nothing like their parents.

Why is anyone surprised at this fact? Look at the unreal expectations in fashion mags and what our society holds as important. There was actually a really interesting science study (can't remember where I read it or I'd post the link) that said modern women are more attractive than our ancestors. This is because the prettier women were more likely to get married and have offspring, which shouldn't surprise anyone. Sadly, there was no word on if this was true for men too.

so one in five women think they're unnatractive? that's really depressing...expectations of what women should achieve looks-wise have become ridiculous, and the problem is that whole industries are vested in this figure increasing; maybe we are fighting a losing battle, I feel bad for our kids

I agree with flowergirl, the obesity rate has been steadily climbing for at least 30 years... These people didn't describe themselves as "ugly" or "butterfaced," they said "unattractive." I know I feel less attractive if I gain weight, so it makes sense that higher obesity rates would be coupled with an increased number of people thinking this way.

i actually dont think the figures are that bad,,, if anything id expect them to be higher given the media coverage of celebs and socialites whom all look "perfect" especially among the youth that are so competitive

I think more people feel bad about their appearance because they don't look "perfect." In the last 10 years, we've seen an explosion of stylists, heavy Photoshop, and surgery — all of which take already good-looking famous people and make them look flawless. But we don't see the work that goes into that, so we wind up wondering why we don't look that way. The thing is, even THEY don't look that way — and many will admit it. (Remember when Kate Winslet was justifiably upset about being digitally slimmed on a magazine cover?)The whole thing is just sad, because we are all too hard on ourselves.

I think more people feel bad about their appearance because they don't look "perfect." In the last 10 years, we've seen an explosion of stylists, heavy Photoshop, and surgery — all of which take already good-looking famous people and make them look flawless. But we don't see the work that goes into that, so we wind up wondering why we don't look that way. The thing is, even THEY don't look that way — and many will admit it. (Remember when Kate Winslet was justifiably upset about being digitally slimmed on a magazine cover?)
The whole thing is just sad, because we are all too hard on ourselves.